Chapter 65: Sleeping Together

Ever since Feng Yao settled in the Plum Garden, all three daily meals were essentially served there. This was mostly due to Feng Yao's concern for Su Yuxin. At the moment, the weather was bearable, but come summer or winter, they would have to endure the scorching sun or bitter cold as they traveled back and forth. After their sweet breakfast, Su Yuxin began teasing Feng Yao about his belt. Catching her hand, Feng Yao smirked faintly, "Will eating rice wine balls make one drunk?" His longing for Su Yuxin was insatiable, but he feared hurting her by indulging too frequently. Therefore, after each indulgence, he instinctively restrained himself, attempting to maintain some distance between their encounters. Su Yuxin was initially startled but soon blushed. She recalled Feng Yao mentioning her behavior after getting drunk. Despite racking her brain, she could only recall fragmented scenes. However, it seemed she indeed made some advances. "General, you're always overthinking," Su Yuxin murmured, slightly tilting her blushing neck, feeling somewhat uneasy. Feng Yao's casual attitude stirred more concern in Su Yuxin. Her delicate and bashful appearance truly tested Feng Yao's self-control. When her supple body pressed into Feng Yao's embrace, hands wrapped around his waist, and her face nestled against his chest, she wanted to assure him that it wouldn't happen again. However, the words got stuck in her throat, unable to escape. Feng Yao wasn't just the Grand General, but also the commander of the Northwest Army, stationed at the edge of the northwest frontier. Every time a conflict arose, he had to march out—she knew about it several times. The suffering and pain of the battlefield were beyond her imagination. With this realization, Su Yuxin felt as though her heart had been shattered, even her bones ached. "General, please take good care of yourself in the future," Su Yuxin, like a little cat, nuzzled into Feng Yao's arms. This gesture made Feng Yao feel a surge of warmth throughout his body. "There are still official matters in the barracks. Once they're settled, I'll rest properly," Feng Yao held Su Yuxin's shoulders, gently creating some distance between them. He couldn't bear it much longer. "Don't you have ten vice generals under your command? Aren't they capable?" Su Yuxin tugged at Feng Yao's sleeve. In a distant military camp, all ten vice generals simultaneously sneezed, sharing uncertain looks. Song Yang rubbed his nose, feeling a sense of impending trouble. "I don't care, I won't let the General leave," Su Yuxin petulantly stated, stamping her foot. "If the General insists on leaving, then, then..." "Then what?" Feng Yao was curious. "Then..." Su Yuxin pursed her lips, unable to find suitable words. Finally, she blurted out, "Then I'll let you step over my body..." *Chuckle* Feng Yao couldn't hold back, and his laughter caused a release of half the tension within him. Su Yuxin realized she had made a joke and blushed deeply, stuttering, "Well, I just don't want you to leave." "Alright, I won't go," Feng Yao suppressed his laughter, gently booping Su Yuxin's nose, "Will you accompany me to sleep?" "I can't," Su Yuxin shook her head. "You slept late last night and woke up early today; you need rest," Feng Yao held Su Yuxin's hand, explaining. "I need to take Zhou Shan to study with his teacher later," Su Yuxin nibbled on her finger, "Can I accompany you when I return?" "Is Zhou Shan also studying?" Feng Yao casually inquired, following Su Yuxin's lead. "I see he enjoys studying and puts in great effort. Moreover, I've already hired a teacher. One more won't hurt," Su Yuxin worried Feng Yao might disapprove, biting her lip. "I've said, you're in charge of everything at home. No need to ask me. I just said it in passing," Feng Yao smiled and reassured her. "Then now that you're here at home, should I be in charge?" Su Yuxin took the opportunity to ask. "How would you take charge?" Feng Yao smiled and asked. "I want the General to go to bed right now," Su Yuxin grabbed Feng Yao's belt, leading him towards the inner room. "Fine, following Madam's orders," Feng Yao's eyes shimmered with genuine happiness, radiating from within. "That's good enough," Su Yuxin swiftly removed Feng Yao's outer garment. After he lay down, she prepared to leave. "Come back soon," Feng Yao grabbed Su Yuxin's hand, his smile slightly mischievous. Su Yuxin blushed and pulled away, dashing outside. As she reached the door to the inner room, she turned back, shyly saying, "Alright," before quickly running off. Feng Yao's smile grew broader. Su Yuxin stood in the courtyard, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Yet, the heat on her face persisted. Luckily, occasional breezes alleviated it somewhat after three or four times. "Madam, Miss Qingque and Miss Ziyuan have awakened," a maid ran over, her face filled with joy. "Really?" Su Yuxin immediately lifted her skirt and hurried to Qingque and Ziyuan's room. Qingque and Ziyuan had just woken up and instinctively tried to get up upon seeing Su Yuxin, but their bodies were extremely weak. "You two are trying to kill yourselves," Su Yuxin hurriedly held them down, "You've just come back from the brink of death; you should rest." "What's happened to us?" Qingque rubbed her head, feeling dizzy all over and having no memory. "It's my fault that you're in this state," Su Yuxin sighed, briefly explaining the situation about the golden ant to them. "It's not Madam's fault. We were not vigilant enough in protecting you," Qingque and Ziyuan felt self-reproachful and fearful. If Madam hadn't received the medicine from Xia Zhi, what would have happened? The thought made them resentful towards Lu Shiyen. "I underestimated my stepmother's cruelty; it's not your fault," Su Yuxin comforted them, "Focus on recovering your health. Don't worry about anything else; I'll handle it." "Okay," Qingque and Ziyuan nodded weakly, but they both looked fatigued after these few words. "Rest well, and I'll come back to check on you later," Su Yuxin got up upon noticing their exhaustion, preparing to leave.